Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-17
SHIPS IN STEEL COATS.
THE SENATE PASSES ONE OF
THE NAVAL BILLS.

Fen Protected Cruisers, to Cost with
Tbeir Armament About $50, ,OO0 600,
provided for by the BilI-The Section
Offering Big Premiums for High
Sueed Goes Through.
WAsuINGTON, Feb. 16.-The Senate to-
6ay resumed consideration of the bill to
innrease the naval establishment. MIR.
Maxey supported the bill. He was not
oaly iu favor OF building war vessels, but
of fortihcations at every seaport in the
country.
The question was taken on the amend
ment offered yesterday by Mr.. Hale, and
il was adopted without division. Other
amendments were adopted aud the bill
was passed.
The bill reads as follows:
TEXT OF THE BILL.
SECTION l. That the President is hereby
authorized TO have constructed. by contract
fen steel protected cru isers, with such arma-
rent for each as the Navy Department may
deem suitable, each of said vessels to have
A maximum speed of not less than twenty
knots over measured mile, such speed to be
N Snibited under such test or tests and condi-
lions as the Navy Department may impose.
The cost of all of said cruIsers, in the aggre-
gate, complete. exclusive or armament, snail
not be more than $4,000 900, which sum IS
hereby appropriated out or any money IN the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to he
available during five years from March 4, 1887.
OF AMERICAN MANUFACTURES.
SEC. . That in the construction of the afore-
aid vessels, all of the provisions of the act of
II Aug g. 1856, entitled ian act to increase the
81 naval establishment" as to material for said
81 Vessels. their engines, boilers and machinery.
81 the contracts, under which they are built 9.
81 notice of and proposals for the same,
81 plans. drawings ana specifications therefor,
81 and he method of executing said contracts,
81 shall he observed and followed, and said YES
< ses shall be built in compliance with the
81 terms of said act, so far as the same relates TO
# vessels constructed under contracts, save
~ that in all their parts they shall be of Ameri-
z# can manufacture.
PREMIUMS FOR SPEED.
SEC. g. The contract for the construction of
bald vessels shall contain provisions to the
Effect that the contractor guarantees that
when completed and tested for the speed un-
| er the conditions 10 be prescribed by the
Navy Department. the vessels shall exhibit a
y maximum speed of at least twenty knots per
hour. and for every quarter knot of speed so
Exhibited above said guarantee the contractor
hall receive premium over and above his
fontract price of $50 900. and for every quar-
er knot that said vessel fails of reaching said
uaranteed speed there shall be deducted
roU the contract price the sum OF $50 900,
nd for the purposes provided in this section
he sum OF 81, 900 600. or so much of the same
may be necessary, is hereby approprl ated
utof any money in the Treasury not other
ise appropriated.
S4,S00,000 FOR ARMAMENT.
SEC. 1. That for the armament OF the YES
s herein before provided for the sum of
LOCO is hereby appropriated ont of any
Oney IN the Treasury not otherwise appro-
rated, to be available during five years
fOm March 4, 1887,
SEC ). In making proposals for contracts
hUil0inp 9nthOFiZpd II ha
ructed under this act it shall be required
at three of sucn vessels shall he built
or near the coast of
Pacific ocean. or water
injecting herewith; three of them on or
iar the coast of the Gulf of Mexico or
teTs connecting herewith. and four Of
en- on or near the coast of the Atlantic
can or waters connecting there with, and at
ch places on or near such coasts or waters
Iae Secretary Of the Navy shall provide.
A CONTINGENCY PROVIDED FOR.
1t shall appear to the satisfaction OF the
creiary of the Navy from the bhddings for
contracts, when the same are opened and
amlned by him, that the said vessels can
oe constructed at fair cost op or near
coast OF the Pacific ocean or Gulf of Mex
ne snail SUSPEND the construction of the
,es herein required TO be built on or near
coasts, or either of them, until further
lon Of Congress, and shall report his rea-
lor such suspension to Congress with all
Venent dispatch
HEAVY ARMORED VESSELS.
be Senate then took up Mr.. Hale's bill
provide for an Increase of the naval es-
isnment.
r. Butler moved to amend by insert
alter the words ''heavily armored YES
lne words ''for sea SERVICE" and
sc IN support Of the amendment. AT
long debate, determined obstruction
opposition. the bill went over with
action, Mr.. Hale stating that he
ID ask a vote on it tomorrow.
RErALIATINC. ON CANAna